“It can be very lonely on tour…being in a team environment for an individual athlete like a tennis player is a great, great thing,” said tennis icon Roger Federer when he returned to the 2023 Laver Cup, a year after his retirement. And wasn’t he absolutely right about it? While the world’s top players battle year-round, the tournament the Swiss founded in 2017 offers something unique: a chance to bond, share meals, talk tennis, and feed off each other’s energy. With the American legend Andre Agassi now all set to debut as the Team World captain, excitement for the Laver Cup 2025 is already soaring. And Federer, too, has weighed in with his thoughts.
Founded by Federer and his manager Tony Godsick in 2017, the Laver Cup draws inspiration from golf’s Ryder Cup, featuring a unique format where six players from Europe face off against six from the rest of the world. Despite tennis’ packed schedule throughout the year, the event has carved out a prominent place, with its iconic black court now influencing other tournaments as well, most recently, Netflix’s Slam exhibition.
Named after Rod Laver himself, the only player to win the ‘calendar-year’ GS twice in his career, the tournament became an official ATP event in 2019. Now in its eighth year, the Laver Cup boasts a 10-year broadcast deal with Discovery, a growing list of sponsors, and increasing interest from institutional investors, securing its future as a must-watch event in professional tennis. As the tournament gears up for its latest edition in San Francisco from September 19 to 21, excitement is already building.
Team World’s new captain, Andre Agassi, recently unveiled a thrilling promo on social media, setting the stage for an electrifying showdown in America. And, of course, it didn’t go unnoticed as tennis icon Federer followed up with his own words of appreciation, adding to the anticipation of the 8th edition.
The official IG page of Laver Cup posted a video about the upcoming tournament featuring the hometown icon Agassi. “I have won trophies all over the world, but it’s always special winning on home soil. This September, I’ll lead our Team World against Team Europe to win back the Laver Cup. Because that’s what the city is famous for. Great players, great teams making history,” the American legend said.
Agassi continued, “And we’ve got some great homegrown players right now. Mind you, some of those European boys are pretty special. The Laver Cup isn’t about individual glory. It’s about your teammates. For those that came before and, importantly, the fans. So when the world’s best take to the black court, we will be all in. Will you?” And Roger reshared the same post on his IG stories, adding, “Exited for @lavercup 2025 San Francisco”. But, why is Agassi featured in the latest edition?
Though just 7 years old, the Laver Cup is entering a new chapter this year. Since its inception in 2017, legendary captains like Björn Borg and John McEnroe led Team Europe and Team World, respectively, but following Team Europe’s fifth title in Berlin last year, both icons stepped down. Now, the torch passes to Yannick Noah, a star of the mid-1980s, to lead Team Europe, and 8-time GS winner Andre Agassi, who dominated from 1988 to 2006, to lead Team World, ushering in a fresh era for this celebrated team event in September.
For Roger Federer, the Laver Cup is more than just a tournament. It holds a special place in his heart. Just three years ago, this very event became the stage for his emotional farewell, as the Swiss maestro waved goodbye to professional tennis, stepping onto the center court for the last time with tears in his eyes and his legacy intact.
“I enjoyed tying my shoes one more time” — When Roger said adiós to the center court
Roger Federer bid an emotional farewell to professional tennis at the 2022 Laver Cup, closing out his legendary career in front of a packed crowd at London’s O2 Arena. An atmosphere of considerable excitement was palpable as the Swiss received a thunderous welcome after 10 PM, following a marathon singles match between Andy Murray and Alex de Minaur. His final match, a doubles encounter in partnership with his long-standing friend and rival Rafael Nadal, extended beyond midnight, resulting in a disheartening 4-6, 7-6(2), 11-9 loss to Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe.
Though the fairytale ending of a victory eluded him, the night was filled with love, tears, and a standing ovation as the tennis royalty stepped onto the court for the last time. While the match ended with Sock’s decisive forehand past the Spaniard, all eyes remained on Federer: the undisputed star of a night that celebrated his unparalleled legacy of more than 20 years. And, right after the match, the icon spoke for the last time from the center court.
In a tearful on-court interview with Jim Courier, Roger added, “It’s been a wonderful day. I’m happy, not sad. I enjoyed tying my shoes one more time, I knew everything I did was going to be for the last time. I feared something would go wrong. My calf would go or my back would lock, but I made it through.”
As the clock crept past midnight in the UK, the 17,000-strong crowd at the O2 Arena witnessed a farewell fit for a legend. Ellie Goulding’s soulful chorus of “Still Falling For You” and “Fire and Ice” echoed through the arena, serenading Federer into retirement. Even today, the longing remains in tennis. The sports still crave its royalty, its maestro – Roger Federer. The game may move forward over time, but the void left behind is irreplaceable. That’s for sure!
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